NCJ Number
61372
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE THAT NARCOTICS ADDICTION PLAYS AS A CAUSE OF STREET VIOLENCE AND CRIME IS DEPICTED IN THIS COMPONENT OF THE FILM STRIP AND AUDIOCASSETTE SERIES 'UNDER THE LAW.'
Abstract
A ROBBERY BY A DRUG ADDICT IS DRAMATIZED, INDICATING THE CONSEQUENCES OF STREET OFFENSES AND INVOLVEMENT WITH SERIOUS CRIMES. STREET MUGGINGS, WHICH ERODE A COMMUNITY'S SOCIAL HEALTH AND MORALE, FREQUENTLY RESULT FROM THE DESPERATION AND DANGEROUS INDIFFERENCE OF CONFIRMED DRUG ADDICTS. QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESENTATION CONCERN THE DEGREE TO WHICH DRUG ADDICTION LESSENS A CRIMINAL'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH COMPULSIVE CRIME REPRESENTS AN ADDICT'S 'CRY FOR HELP.' ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION REFERS TO THE OFFENDER'S LIKELIHOOD OF RETURNING TO CRIME, AND SPECIFIC REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SCORING SYSTEM FOR THE PREDICTION OF FUTURE CRIMINAL ACITIVITY. THE CALIFORNIA SYSTEM CONSIDERS SUCH FACTORS AS PRIOR ARRESTS, USE OF DRUGS, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, AND FAMILY CRIMINAL RECORD TO ASSESS AN OFFENDER'S POSSIBILITY OF RECIDIVISM. THE ELEMENTS OF THE LAW OF THEFT OR LARCENY INCLUDE THE FRAUDULENT TAKING OF PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO ANOTHER WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT, TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AND TO APPROPRIATE IT TO THE USE OR BENEFIT OF THE THIEF. THE CRIME OF ROBBERY IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF FORCE OR FEAR. ESCAPE WITH THE PROPERTY IS NOT A PREREQUISITE TO THE COMPLETION OF THE CRIME. ROBBERY IS A CRIME AGAINST A PERSON AS WELL AS AGAINST PROPERTY. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS CONCERNS THE CRIME OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, THE POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, AND THE FACTORS CONSIDERED IN SENTENCING. (TWK)